Field observation of predation on paper wasp nests by introduced terrestrial slugs

摘要

Nest predation is an important factor in the colony mortality of paper wasps. Although a variety of animals are known to prey on paper wasp nests, colony failure of unknown cause often occurs in the field, and the existence of still-unknown predatorsis possible. Here, I report predation on nests of paper wasps, Polistes chinensis antennalis, by introduced terrestrial slugs, Lehmannia va-lentiana. The slugs were found on the wasps' nests despite the presence of the owners on the nests and ate eggs, larvae, and presumably cell walls of the nests. This is the first report of predation on paper wasp nests by slugs.